York graduate launches new app to help students find seasonal jobs

York graduate Aiden Tonyy has created a new app, Seasonaly, that aims to make seasonal job hunting easier and faster for students (Image: Aiden Tonyy)

A York graduate has created a new app that aims to make seasonal job hunting easier and faster for students.

Seasonly, created by University of York graduate Aiden Tonyy, is designed to connect jobseekers in York with businesses offering short-term, flexible roles.

The idea was born out of Mr Tonyy's own experience in his second year of university, when he spent three months searching for seasonal work before finally landing a Christmas job at Bettys.

Mr Tonyy said: "As a student, I wanted to earn money and gain real customer-facing experience without having to commit to a year-round job so I could balance work and studies.

"Bettys was a great job, but finding it took three months.

"I realised seasonal jobs existed, but they weren’t easy to find and were buried beneath permanent roles."

Development of the app began in late 2025, with Mr Tonyy teaching himself app development and AI integration to bring the project to life.

He balanced this with his university studies, a dissertation, employer outreach, and multiple jobs.

Supported by the Phase One Incubator at York Science Park, powered by Barclays Eagle Labs, Mr Tonyy credits friends and family for their support throughout the process.

Following a Technology Analyst internship at Barclays in Glasgow, he secured a graduate position in Canary Wharf starting in August 2027 but chose to launch Seasonly before beginning his corporate career.

Mr Tonyy said: "Barclays was a great experience, but I knew I’d regret not giving Seasonly a proper chance before starting my career.

"I’d spent so long building it, and I wanted to get it into the hands of the people I’d built it for."

Ahead of the launch, he approached more than 120 businesses in York to learn about their seasonal hiring needs and introduce the app.

He said: "Getting out and speaking to local businesses has been my favourite part.

"I’ve met so many people who understand the problem because they’ve experienced it themselves."

Seasonly allows users to browse seasonal jobs, swipe through listings, and connect directly with employers within the app.

A pilot group of restaurants and food stalls in York is already taking part, with the service offered free to early users.

The app is expected to expand across York and eventually to other university cities across the UK.

For Mr Tonyy, who came to York as an international student, launching the app in the city holds special meaning.

He said: "A lot of what motivates me comes from trying to fix problems I’ve experienced myself.

"York gave me so much more than a degree.

"I want to use what I’ve learnt to give something back to the city."

Students, jobseekers, and businesses can sign up at www.seasonly.co.uk.